Google and Chile Launch Humboldt Cable Linking Continents
The Chilean government has formalised a landmark agreement with Google to construct the first-ever subsea fibre-optic cable linking South America and Oceania.
The Humboldt cable, a 14,800-kilometre system, will connect ValparaĂso in Chile to Sydney, Australia, via French Polynesia.
Installation will commence this year and operations are targeted for the fourth quarter of 2026. The project culminates nearly a decade of planning by Chilean authorities, with Google joining the initiative 18 months ago to accelerate its realisation.
Strategic infrastructure for a digital future
The new cable is a technical and strategic milestone. Chileâs global connectivity relies on a single undersea link to the United States. The Humboldt cable will provide the country with a second major digital artery, directly connecting South America to Asia-Pacific for the first time.
Chilean Transport Minister Juan Carlos Muñoz remarked: âThis is the first submarine cable in the South Pacific, so itâs an important commitmentâ.
Foreign Minister Alberto van Klaveren further highlighted the projectâs broader impact, stating: âThis cable not only meets a technical need, but also represents a bet on resilience, diversification of digital routes and the opening up of new possibilities for international collaborationâ.
Economic and geopolitical implications
The Humboldt cable stands to transform Chile into a digital gateway for the South American continent, positioning the nation as a centre for regional data traffic and digital services. The government expects the infrastructure to support the development of its national software and artificial intelligence industries, supporting Chileâs ambition to become Latin Americaâs digital hub.
The current geopolitical climate heightened the projectâs significance, with submarine cables now critical assets in the global contest for technological influence between the US and China. The cable will provide a new, faster route for data traffic between South America, Asia and Oceania, reducing latency and increasing network resilience.
Investment and project structure
While the total cost remains undisclosed, Chilean officials have previously estimated the projectâs value at between US$300m and US$550m.
The Chilean state will contribute US$25m, with Google expected to fund the majority. Humboldt Connect will manage the build, a joint venture between Google and Chile’s state-owned Desarrollo País, each holding a 50% stake.
Cristian Ramos, director of telecommunications infrastructure for Latin America at Alphabet, stated:
“The idea of building this cable is that it can also be used not only by Google but also by other users, such as technology companies operating in Chile”.
Regional and industry impact
The Humboldt cable will benefit Chile and neighbouring countries such as Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil by facilitating access to diversified and secure digital routes. The project is expected to attract millions of dollars in investment from the technology, mining and banking sectors in Chile and Australia.
Google highlights the broader economic impact, referencing Analysys Mason data that previous submarine cable deployments in Latin America and the Caribbean are projected to generate a cumulative GDP increase of US$178bn and support 740,000 jobs between 2017 and 2027.
Construction is imminent and the next phase will involve selecting a telecoms operator to manage the cable’s operations—a process that may extend into next year. Commercial service is slated to begin by late 2026 and the cable’s capacity and reach are expected to drive digital transformation across industries and borders.
The Chile-Google Humboldt cable aims to redefine digital connectivity for South America and Oceania, providing critical infrastructure for economic growth, technological innovation and regional integration.
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